History of New Haven County, Connecticut, Volume II, Part 76

Author: Rockey, J. L. (John L.)
Publication date: 1892
Publisher: New York : W. W. Preston
Number of Pages: 1138

USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > History of New Haven County, Connecticut, Volume II > Part 76
USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > History of New Haven County, Connecticut, Volume II > Part 76

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

The extensive dry goods firm of Hughes & Reid was established in 1889 by George F. Hughes and Adam Reid, proprietors of a similar place in Norwich, from which city they came. The oldest merchant tailor and clothier was John Mullings, who began in 1840, and his business is now carried on by his son, John B. Mullings.

The accounts of the early physicians in Waterbury are vague and conflicting. Those first in practice appear not to have been bred in the profession, and were engaged in it not as a regular avocation, but as one incidental to other employment. One of the first of this kind was Daniel Porter, who came from Farmington some time about 1690, and here exercised his skill as a " bone setter " half a dozen or more years. Then Daniel Porter, 2d, appears to have taken up this art, which he followed until his death, in 1726. His home was on the site now occupied by the Scovill House, and when his library was appraised it was found to consist of several small volumes on bone setting, valued at two shillings. His son, Daniel Porter, Jr., succeeded to his practice,

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and was a doctor in the town until his death, in 1772. In the mean- time, about 1704, Ephraim Warner was here as a physician, and was followed a dozen years later by Doctor Benjamin Warner, whose death also occurred in 1772.

After that year, for some time to come, Doctors Preserved Porter and Timothy Porter appear to have been the principal physicians. During the revolution Doctor Isaac Baldwin, who had been a surgeon in the American army, came to Waterbury, where, in 1782, he married Sarah, daughter of Reverend Mark Leavenworth. He removed front town in 1797. While residing here members of the Leavenworth family were his medical students, and Doctor Edward Field, who died in Waterbury about 1842, was his son-in-law. The latter's son, Doctor Edward Field, became a physician in New York. Doctor Nathan Leavenworth, son of Reverend Mark, was born December 11th, 1761. He graduated from Yale in 1778. In 1780 he entered the army as a surgeon's mate, and served until the end of the war. He then removed to South Carolina, where he lived until 1793, when ill health compelled his return to his native town, where he died January 9th, 1799. Doctor Frederick Leavenworth, born September 4th, 1766, became a practi- tioner in the town, and was a contemporary of Doctors Field and Jo- seph Porter. A part of this time Doctor M. Conkling Leavenworth was also a practitioner. He was a man of great ability not only in his profession, but was one of the most eminent botanists in this country. As a surgeon in the regular army he had active service, and when the civil war broke out he again tendered his aid. He became an assistant surgeon of the 12th Regiment, and died November 16th, 1862. In this period other physicians were: Doctors Daniel Porter, David Pritchard, John Deacon, William Porter, Sturges Buckley, G. E. Perkins, M. H. Perkins, Henry Bronson, Gideon L. Platt, Philo G. Rockwell, of the allopathic school of practice; W. W. Rodman, of the homeopathic; E. G. Snow and John J. Jaques, of other systems of practice. E. C. Knight, another homeopathist, came soon after 1855.

Of the above, Philo G. Rockwell was a physician of ability, but his health failed him and he removed to Aiken, S. C., where he established a sanitarium. He died at that place, but is interred in Riverside cem- etery. Doctor Henry Bronson, after practicing a number of years in Waterbury, nearly half a century ago, removed to New Haven, where he was still living in 1892, at a very advanced age. He wrote an ex- cellent history of his native town, and became known as an antiquarian. Doctor Gideon L. Platt was a student of Doctor Bronson and practi- cally succeeded to his practice after his removal. He was a man of excellent judgment, skillful and successful in his profession, which he followed in this town more than two scores of years.

In 1861 Doctor Alfred North graduated from the New York College of Physicians and Surgeons, and several years later located at Water- bury, where he has since been one of the leading physicians. In more

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recent years Doctor Thomas L. Axtelle has been associated with him, the firm being Axtelle & Nortlı.

In 1875 the physicians of the town were: Allopaths, Doctors S. C. Bartlett, John Deacon, Thomas D. Dougherty, E. L. Griggs, Alfred North, George E. Perkins, Gideon L. Platt, E. W. McDonald, J. R. Roberts, F. E. Castle (and soon after came J. J. M. Neville and W. L. Barber); homeopaths, E. C. Knight, C. S. Rodman, E. A. Towne and H. Wolcott; eclectics, John J. Jaques and Stephen B. Munn. The latter was born at Southington, Conn., September 8th, 1827. His early edit- cation was limited, as he was obliged to leave his home when 11 years old to earn his own livelihood. When 15 years old he commenced to learn the blacksmith's trade, borrowing at the same time books to read to fit himself for the medical profession. In 1857 he removed to Pawling, N. Y., where, in 1858, he was licensed to practice as an eclec- tic. In 1864 he removed to Waterbury, which has since been his home, and he is now one of the oldest physicians in the town. Since being located here he has received degrees from three eclectic col- leges as an honorary graduate: From the Georgia Eclectic Medical College, in 1877; the United States Medical College, of New York, in 1880; and the Bennett College of Eclectic Medicine and Surgery, Chi- cago, in 1888. He is a member of the National Eclectic Society, and presided over the meeting held at Pittsburg in 1878. The same year he was one of the curators of the United States Medical College, of New York.

Doctor Thomas D. Dougherty came as an Irish boy to Waterbury, where later he lived as one of the foremost physicians, and died in this city. He was educated at St. Mary's, studied medicine at New York Medical College, then located at New Haven, but finally settled here. He was a very able and scholarly man. Doctor Edward L. Griggs was born at Windsor, Conn., July 18th, 1838, but came to Waterbury when he was six years old. He was educated in the old academy, then pursued his medical studies at the Long Island College Hospital, at Brooklyn, graduating in 1864. Most of the time since then he has been a practitioner at Waterbury. Doctor E.W. McDonald was born in Limerick, Ireland, in March, 1845. In May, 1868, he came to America, settling in New York city. There he studied medicine in the medical department of the University of New York, graduating in 1871. He now spent another year at St. Vincent's Hospital, when he located permanently in Waterbury. He has become warmly inter- ested in the affairs of the town, being a leading citizen as well as a successful physician. In 1891 he was chairman of the board of edu- cation.

Doctor Walter Lewis Barber was born in Litchfield in June, 1851, and was educated at the Torrington Academy. In 1873 he graduated from the New York Bellevue Medical Hospital, when he became the surgeon of the 99th Street Emergency Hospital, in that city, serving

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one year. In October, 1876, he removed to Norfolk, where he was with his former preceptor, Doctor William W. Welch, but since June, 1877, he has been an active and successful practitioner at Waterbury.

Doctor Frank E. Castle was born in Woodbridge February 25th, 1845, and was a son of Doctor Andrew Castle, of that town, and grand- son of Doctor Jehiel Castle, of Bethany. He read medicine with T. B. Townsend, of New Haven, and graduated from the medical school of Yale College in 1870, when he located at Waterbury, where he has suc- cessfully continued.

In 1885 there were in practice, in addition to the foregoing and not included in the list below as being at Waterbury in 1891, the follow- ing: Doctors E. P. Esterly, J. J. M. Neville, Charles H. French, James Ramsey, O. R. Kelsey, F. M. Court. The physicians in 1891 were: Thomas L. Axtelle,* Walter L. Barber,* J. M. Benedict,* Frank E. Cas- tle,* Frederick M. Cannon,* Caroline R. Conkey,* Joseph S. Chagnon,* M. J. Donahue,* G. Dubuc, George A. Faber, C. W. S. Frost," Henry F. Gill, E. P. Gregory, hom .; Edward L. Griggs,“ Charles A. Hamil- ton,* Nicholas Hanlon, Jr., J. F. Hayes," Walter H. Holmes,* William Coe Holmes,+ L. Kimball, C. H. Lafontaine, Robert J. La Fonzo, Ralph Lopez, Arthur Lascomb, hom .; Edward W. McDonald,* David W. McFarland, Carl E. Munger,“ Stephen B. Munn, Alfred North,* Bernard A. O'Hara,* Smith H. Platt, George O. Robbins,+ C. S. Rod- man,* M. Florence Taft, E. A. Towne, George A. Taber, Charles R. Upson, C. Art. Ward, Joseph Werner, Henry S. Wildman .*

Doctor J. M. Benedict was born at Bethel, Conn., in 1852. He graduated from the University of the City of New York in 1882, and the following year settled in Waterbury. Since July, 1889, he has been the surgeon of the 2d Regiment, C. N. G.

Caroline R. Conkey, M. D., graduated from the Woman's Medical College, of the New York Infirmary, in 1881. She then practiced her profession at Watertown, New York, until 1887, when she came to Waterbury. She is a member of the County Medical Society, and serves on the staff of Waterbury Hospital.

Doctor M. Florence Taft graduated from the Boston University, School of Medicine, 111 1886. After serving some time in the Massa- chusetts Homeopathic Hospital, she located at Middletown, Conn., where she remained as a practitioner until May, 1891, since when she has been at Waterbury. She is an active member of the Connecticut Homeopathic Medical Society.

Doctor C. W. S. Frost was born in Waterbury December 22d, 1857, and was educated in the high school of this city. After studying med- icine at Yale and in the New York Medical College, he graduated from the College of Physicians and Surgeons, of New York, in 1880, when

* Members of the Connecticut Medical Society.

+ Pennsylvania Medical Society.

# New Hampshire State Medical Society.

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he located at Waterbury. Since 1887 he has been a health officer of the town.

Doctor E. P. Gregory, a homeopathist, was born in Fairfield, Conn., and was educated in the common schools of this state. In his medical studies he graduated from the University of New York in 1873, and later of the Hahnemann Medical College of Philadelphia. He prac- ticed in Milford six years, and since 1879 has been located at Water- bury.

Doctor Jolin F. Hayes, a native of this town, was born in 1858 He received a high school and classical education, when he entered the University of the City of New York, from which he graduated in 1879. He soon after went abroad and studied at the Rotunda Hospital, at Dublin, eight months, receiving the degree of L. M .; was three months at the Royal Infirmary at Edinburgh, and the same length of time at St. Bartholomew's Hospital, London. In 1881 he returned to Water- bury, and has been a practitioner here ever since.

Doctor C. A. Hamilton, born December 29th, 1848, at East Windsor, Conn., took a course of study at Dartmouth College, when he entered the University of Vermont, from which he graduated in 1886. In July, the same year, he located in Waterbury.

Doctor C. R. Upson is a native of Oxford, where he was born in 1847. He graduated from the Long Island College Hospital in 1870, after which he located in Wallingford, where he was in practice two years. He was next at New Haven four years, when he took another special course at Long Island Hospital, after which he became one of the professors at St. Joseph's Hospital, Atlanta, Ga. Since 1883 he has been a specialist at Waterbury in the treatment of nasal, throat and lung diseases.

Doctor N. J. Hanlon was born in Waterbury in 1862. He grad- uated from the Toronto University in 1885 and the Bellevue Hospital. Since January, 1891, he has been a practitioner at Waterbury, and was appointed a town health officer in October, 1891.

Doctor George O. Robbins, a native of Lee, Mass., where he was born in 1854, came to Waterbury in his youth. He was educated at Yale, graduating in 1879, and began his professional career at Salmon Falls, N. H. In 1883 he removed to Waterbury, where he has since been a practitioner.

D. W. McFarland, M. D., was born May 13th, 1858, at Portland, Conn., where he was educated in the common schools and by a private tutor. After taking one medical course at Burlington, Vt., he entered the medical department of the University of New York City, grad- uating from that institution in March, 1885. He then had hospital practice in that city and the Insane Asylum at Morris Plains, N. J. Then he was professionally located one year at Paterson, N. J., and since May, 1890, has been a practitioner at Waterbury.

Doctor Bernard A. O'Harra is a native of Ireland, and was born in

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1859. He came to America in 1877, and received his education at the Bellevue Medical Hospital, from which he graduated in March, 1882. After being an assistant to Doctor Jarvis, in the dispensary of the New York University Medical College, he was appointed a surgeon. Since 1884 he has been a practitioner in this city, and was appointed one of the town's health officers October, 1891.

Doctor M. J. Donahue, a native of Ireland, was born March 20th, 1860, and three years later came to America. In June, 1877, he graduated from the College of the Holy Cross, at Worcester, Mass., with the degree A. B., and later was awarded the degree A. M. by the same institution. He now studied for the priest's office at St. Mary's Seminary, in Baltimore, but after a time changed to medicine, study- ing three years in the University of Pennsylvania, and graduating with the degree of M. D. in 1886. The following year he located at Waterbury, and has since been an active practitioner in this city.

Doctor Joseph Werner was born at Griek, Prussia, in 1856. After attending the common schools, he studied at Strassburg, Freiburg and Marburg, passing his first professional examination at the latter place. He graduated from the Wuerzburg University of Medicine in 1881. He was next an assistant to Professors Gerhart and Scanzoni, but came to America in 1884 and located at Waterbury.

Doctor J. S. Chagnon is a native of Montreal, Canada, where he was born in 1858. He was educated in that city, and graduated from Vic- toria College in 1883. He practiced medicine at Fall River, Mass., Willimantic, Conn., and since October, 1885, has been at Waterbury.

G. Dubuc, M. D., was born in the province of Quebec, Canada, in 1841. He was a student in the schools of Quebec and Montreal, grad- uating from Bishop's College in March, 1873. After practicing medi- cine two years in Montreal city lie came to the states, being at Bed- ford two years, Sutton 11 years, and at Waterbury since 1888.

Doctor C. H. Lafontaine was born in 1860, at Chambly, Canada. After studying at Saint Therese College, he entered Bishop's College, Montreal, graduating in 1884. He began the practice of medicine at Chambly, where his father has been a practitioner for 50 years, but since April, 1887, has been located at Waterbury.

Doctor Ralph Lopez was born April 6th, 1850, at Barcelona, Spain. He came to America when 18 years old, locating in Lancaster, Mass., where he attended school. He graduated at Harvard in 1876, then went to England for one year, and since his return in 1878 has prac- ticed medicine in Waterbury.

Doctor George A. Faber, eclectic, was born in Waterbury in 1866, and received his preliminary education at English and classical schools. He studied with Doctor Munn, attended lectures at Atlanta, Ga., in 1885-6, and at Chicago in 1886-8. After his return he remained with Doctor Munn until June, 1890, and since then has practiced alone. He graduated from Bennett Medical Eclectic College, Chicago. He

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is a member of the State Medical Society and National Eclectic Medi- cal Association.

A number of promising young physicians were in Waterbury for short periods, when they removed to other localities, where they at- tained distinction. Several natives of the town became eminent physi- cians in New York.

Doctor Lemuel Hopkins, a physician of great skill and reputation in his day, and a poet of more than local fame, was also a native of Waterbury. He was born in this place June 19th, 1750, and died in Hartford in 1801. He was one of the founders of the Medical Society of Connecticut, and he was eminent for his literary ability, and his labors and time were divided among such writers as Humphreys, Dwight, Barlow, Trumbull and others.

The city has a local medical society, and here is also located the Connecticut Veterinary Medical Association, inaugurated February 13th, 1884, and incorporated in January, 1887. The original charter members were Thomas Bland, William J. Sullivan, Edward C. Ross, Julian E. Gardner and L. G. Knox. Both societies are fairly pros- perous.

In the last century there was but little legal business in Waterbury, and there were but few resident attorneys. John Kingsbury was one of the few to maintain an office any period of time. He was a lawyer here soon after 1790, and was elected one of the county judges. He died in 1844. Bennett Bronson was a contemporary, being here as a lawer and business man from 1803 until his death in 1850. Cyrus Clark and Lauren Barnes were also lawyers in this town in the beginning of the present century, some time before 1810. Half a dozen years later came Samuel Frisbie and Le Grand Bancroft. Not long after Joel Hinman located here and was also called to serve in a judicial capacity, when he removed to New Haven, and later lived in Cheshire. Alfred Blackman, after being here some time, also removed to New Haven, following the example of Robinson S. Hinman, who had lived in Salem parish of Waterbury. Elisha S. Abernathy was in the town as a lawyer before 1835 and preceded Norton J. Buel. The latter was born at Salisbury September 6th, 1813, and located at Naugatuck in 1835. Five years later he removed to Waterbury, where he was an attorney until the fall of 1863, when he removed to New Haven, where he died March 6th, 1864. Theodore S. Buel was not here as early, and about the close of the war he left the practice of law to engage in manufacturing.

John W. Webster was born at West Hartford, Conn., January 19th, 1817, and was a son of Charles Webster, who was a brother of Noah Webster, the lexicographer. He was educated at Westfield and Wil- braham Academy, leaving the latter school in 1842. He now entered the Yale Law School, from which he graduated in 1844. In October of that year he located at Waterbury as an attorney, and has been con-

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nected with the bar of this city ever since, being now its oldest mem- ber. A few years after the location of Mr. Webster, Frederick J. Kingsbury opened an office in his native town, but was in active prac- tice a few years only, devoting thenceforth his energies to other lines of business. Also, about 1850, Charles E. Moss and John Kendrick were attorneys. Within the next five years there was an accession to the number of lawyers in the town, Stephen W. Kellogg coming from Naugatuck and here beginning a practice, which has placed him in the foremost ranks of the lawyers of the state. For a time Calvin H. Carter was associated with him, but later was appointed postmaster of the city and afterward was active in other business. He was a man 'of great worth, liberal and public spirited. His death occurred Sep- tember 18th, 1887. Contemporary with the two foregoing was George L. Fields, a man of very excellent judgment, who after many years re- moved to the West, but returned to Waterbury, where he died about a dozen years ago. Near the same time L. Sanford Davis became an attorney of Waterbury, and was here a number of years. S. A. Keeney remained a shorter period of time. In 1856 Charles W. Gillette here began a professional career, which he still continues. He was born in what is now the town of Beacon Falls in 1831, and after having studied law with J. W. Webster, was admitted to practice. Within the next ten years two other lawyers came, and the first has also remained: Henry I. Boughton and Thomas Donahue.

The rapid growth of the city and increase of corporation business induced many others to locate in the past 15 years, but a number did not remain. Of this class may be named Greene Kendrick, Henry R. Merrill, Martin Myers, A. W. Thomas, William R. Mattison, Edward P. Nobbs and Augustus H. Fenn.

In 1891 the attorneys of Waterbury were: Henry I. Boughton, Lucien F. Burpee, Nathaniel R. Bronson, Florence Clohessy, Edward F. Cole, Charles A. Colley, George H. Cowell, Thomas Donahne, Charles W. Gillette, Charles J. Griggs, Robert E. Hall, S. W. Kellogg, J. P. Kellogg, Robert A. Lowe, Ellis Phelan, Wilson H. Pierce, Charles G. Root, James E. Russell, B. J. Smith, George E. Terry, J. W. Web- ster, D. F. Webster, Porter L. Wood and John O'Neil.

John O'Neil was born November 5th, 1841. in Goshen, Conn., and in 1848 came to Waterbury, and was educated in the common schools of the town. He enlisted as a private in Company D., 1st Regiment Connecticut Volunteer Infantry, April 1st, 1861, and was engaged at the battle of Bull Run. Returning home, he read law in the office of J. W. Webster, and was admitted to practice in the New Haven county bar March 10th, 1866, and has since here been a practitioner. In 1889- 90 he served in the legislature of the state, where he introduced sev- eral useful measures. He prepared and secured the passage of the laws imposing taxes on collateral inheritances, on investments and on the mileage of telegraph and express companies, which rank among

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the most important legislation of that kind in the state in this century. For a number of years Mr. O'Neil has been the president of the Bron- son Library Fund.

George E. Terry, a son of Edward Terry, was born in Bristol, Sep- tember 15th, 1836. He read law with John Hooker and others of Hartford county, and was admitted to practice in the courts of that county in March, 1858. From 1859 to 1862 he was at Plainville, when he went to the army, serving as a private in the 25th Regiment. In September, 1863. he located at Waterbury, and was associated with S. WV. Kellogg until 1881, as Kellogg & Terry. Since January, 1885, he has been the senior member of the law firm of Terry & Bronson, his associate being Nathaniel R Bronson. The latter is a native of Waterbury, and is a son of Lucien S. Bronson. He was born July 3d, 1860, and pursued classical studies at Yale, graduating in 1882. Two years later he graduated from the Law School of the same university. In January, 1885, he became associated with Charles G. Root, one of. the leading attorneys of the city, and so continued until the present firm was formed. It is one of the most prosperous in the town. Mr. Root is also a native of Waterbury, where he has practiced law since graduating from Yale Law School.

George H. Cowell was born in Waterbury, March 25th, 1840. He was fitted for college at Wilbraham academy, and entering Yale he took the full course, graduating in 1868. He now became a student of the Columbia Law School of the city of New York, from which lie graduated in 1869, and the following year opened a law office in this city. In 1875-6 he was the chief clerk of the United States post office department at Washington. In 1877 he was elected judge of the city court and served six years. He has since been a practitioner in his native town, being also very active in other business matters. Edward F. Cole has also been identified with the bar of the city more than a dozen years, and has taken a leading part in its affairs. He was a deputy judge from 1884 to 1886.

Daniel F. Webster was born in Litchfield, March 14th, 1853. He prepared for college at Thomaston Academy, and graduated from Dartmouth in 1874. He now taught the Thomaston High School three years, at the same time being a law student of Judge A. P. Brad- street. In October, 1876, he was admitted to the Litchfield county bar, and in 1877 came to Waterbury. He has held various public trusts, and since January, 1892, has been the mayor of the city.

Robert A. Lowe born in Ireland in 1847, emigrated to America in 1864, becoming a resident of Waterbury. In 1880 he graduated from the Yale Law School, and has here since been professionally located.

Lucien F. Burpee was born at Rockville, Conn., October 12th, 1855, and is a son of Colonel Thomas F. Burpee. He graduated from Vale in 1879, and from the law department of Hamilton College in 1880. In September of that year he came to this city, entering the law offices of

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Judge S. W. Kellogg, and was associated with him and his son, John P., from 1883 until 1889. He has been prosecuting attorney of the town, and is now the city attorney.

C. J. Griggs was born in Waterbury, November 28th, 1864, and is a son of Henry C. Griggs. He graduated from Yale Academic in 1886, and from the Law School of the university in 1SSS, and was admitted to the New Haven bar the same year. After being in the law office of Gillette & Webster a year, he became an independent practitioner, and has since so continued.

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History of New Haven County, Connecticut, Volume II, Part 76

Author: Rockey, J. L. (John L.) Publication date: 1892 Publisher: New York : W. W. Preston Number of Pages: 1138

Author: Rockey, J. L. (John L.)
Publication date: 1892
Publisher: New York : W. W. Preston
Number of Pages: 1138